the west wing - amazon web services€¦ · a very rare opportunity has arisen to purchase the west...
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A very rare opportunity has arisen to purchase The West Wing which
forms part of the substantial Birthwaite Hall estate. This superb Grade lI
Listed property offers unique and elegant living boasting a spectacular
array of original features to include oak panelling and plaster work
within an idyllic country house estate enjoying all the benefits of
country living and yet enjoying easy accessibility to the M1 Network.
Externally- sweeping tree lined driveway, ample off road parking, stone
built garage, workshop, log store, south facing sun terrace with views
over the surrounding countryside.
GROUND FLOOR
Entrance Hall
Breakfast Kitchen
Dining Room
Music Room
Snug
Access to cellar
FIRST FLOOR
Landing
Master Bedroom
Dressing Room/Study
Bedroom 2
House Bathroom
SECOND FLOOR
Landing
Sitting Room
Library
Bedroom 3
Bedroom 4
Bedroom 5
Bathroom 2
DISTANCES
Barnsley approx. 4 miles,
Leeds approx. 18 miles,
Manchester approx. 35 miles,
Sheffield approx. 19 miles
M1 Junction 38 approx. 1 mile.
The West Wing Birthwaite Hall | Darton
HISTORY
Birthwaite Hall has an ancient pedigree, dating back to the mid‐12th century. The gradual
process of replacing the timber‐framed house in stone as a Restoration mansion began in 1665
when the owner Sir Francis Burdet was made a baronet in his early 20s by Charles II. Over the
next 10 years he began mortgaging his lands to start building a new 2 ½‐storey mansion taller
than any other in the district, as an impressive Prodigy House more inkeeping with his
perceived station in society eventually owing Thomas Wentworth £4,000 in 1675. In 1689 he
mortgage Birthwaite for £1,200 to John Silvester, perhaps to install the fine Wren‐like oak
panelled rooms in the West Wing to complete his house. By 1700 the debt rose to over £4,000
and Silvester foreclosed on the mortgage purchasing the freehold of Birthwaite for a mere
£118. At this date the mansion was fenestrated with cross‐mullioned windows with leaded
lights that were eventually replaced by more fashionable sash windows during the early to
mid‐18th century when the house was leased to well‐to‐do tenants. The West Wing leased as a
separate residence by 1746 with a new inserted door and staircase; the many original features
are beautifully preserved.
LOCATION
Darton is a semi-rural village with a BR main-line station to Leeds and Sheffield. The village is a
short distance from Barnsley, both having a varierty of amenities, country public houses, and
well regarded schools. Darton is a short drive from the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Cannon
Hall Country Park and is approximately 1 mile away from Junction 38 of the M1 Network.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The West Wing was the upper wing of this impressive 3-storey 17th century Manor House and
comprises of two splendid suites of rooms embellished with bolection-moulded oak panelling
on a very large scale. These retain original doors with brass locks, working shutters and
bolection-moulded fireplaces, with a good dog-leg staircase connecting the 3 floors.
The country house bespoke breakfast kitchen features painted woodwork with a distressed
finish and a range of base, drawer and eye level units including a co-ordinating cooker island
with wine rack and further units. Integrated appliances include a Rayburne coal fired cooker
that heats 5 ground floor and 3 first floor radiators, induction 'smeg' hob with 'Elica' cooker
hood, 'Whirlpool’ electric oven and grill, 'Teka' dishwasher and 'Zanussi' fridge. Fitted pantry
includes further space for a fridge, freezer and plumbing for a washing machine. French doors
lead out towards the sun terrace.
The Dining Hall is accessed from the added single storey kitchen through the original entrance
door with columns and fan-light, and boasts painted panelling, dark-stained floor boards and a
marble corner open-fireplace.
A door leads through into the impressive Music Room enjoying floor to ceiling sash windows
with views over the surrounding countryside. The room includes solid oak panelling
throughout, oak flooring and a superb open fireplace with a rare red-veined alabaster
surround.
The Snug is a fine well-proportioned oak-panelled single-cube room with an open marble
fireplace with Regency tiled surround. A second door leads back to the entrance stair-hall that
has a large coat-cupboard; a trap-door set in the floor provides access via a stone spiral stair to
a large wine-cellar and log-store.
The magnificent Master Bedroom is perhaps the finest room in the house having richly
moulded oak panelled walls with sash windows with window-seats facing East, South and West
on three elevations with an extended sitting area enjoying the views. A door leads through to
the former Wig Closet with a secret cupboard above a corner fireplace, now a potential
dressing room or study. It forms a suite of four rooms the interconnecting doors aligned
through to the adjacent Bedroom –cum-Dressing Room, and Bathroom, creating an early
example of an enfilade.
The impressive and luxurious house bathroom enjoys electric underfloor heating, sash windows
with window seats, corner stone fireplace with original mirror and includes a five-piece ‘Phillip
Starck by Duravit’ suite comprising of the double Starck free standing Bath, WC, console basin
and bidet, together with the extra-large Majestic Shower Enclosure with removable seat.
The second-floor accommodation has the potential to be a separate living space, ideal as a
teenage or guest suite. The floor comprises of a sitting room, library, 3 spacious bedrooms and
bathroom. Listed building consent has been granted to create an en-suite to bedroom 3.
EXTERNALS
The West Wing is accessed via a long, winding private lane lined with mature trees and hedges
leading to the impressive Birthwaite Hall estate and to a set of original early 18th century
wrought iron gates and stone piers with carved urns that form an elegant north entrance to the
West Wing, and its stone‐built garage, workshop, wood‐store and potting‐shed. It’s private
‘garden’ is an arboretum of tall mature specimen trees, set within former parkland, that
includes a rare Cedrus Magna, and other
evergreen trees that screen the house. The property includes ample off road parking with
spaces in front of the property and spaces in front of the garage.
The south front has a superb private stone‐flagged sun‐terrace set between tall yew hedges
with magnificent rural views over the adjacent stepped terraced garden and the distant
wooded countryside.
FIXTURES AND FITTINGS
Only fixtures and fittings specifically mentioned in the particulars are included within the sale.
Items not mentioned such as carpets and curtains may be available subject to separate
negotiation.
LOCAL AUTHORITY
Barnsley MBC
WAYLEAVES, EASEMENTS AND RIGHTS OF WAYS
There are no public rights of way from the north gated entrance.
The sale is subject to all of these rights whether public or private, whether mentioned in these
particulars or not.
SERVICES
We understand that the property benefits from mains electric, water and a septic tank reed bed
filtration system. Mains gas is avaliable seperate to the property. Please note that none of the
services have been tested by the agents, we would therefore strictly point out that all
prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves as to their working order.
TENURE
Freehold with vacant possession upon completion.
DIRECTIONS TO
From the M1, take junction J38 and follow the A637 for approximately 1.5 miles towards
Darton. The entrance for the estate can be found just after the layby on the left-hand side.
Proceed up the private driveway to the end and take a left. The property can be found straight
ahead.
For satellite navigation- S75 5JS
IMPORTANT NOTICE
CHARNOCK BATES for themselves and for vendors of this property whose agents they are give
notice that:
(i) the particulars are set out as a general outline only for the guidance of intended purchasers
and do not constitute, nor constitute part of, an offer or contract.
(ii) all descriptions, metric and imperial dimensions are approximate, reference to conditions
and necessary permissions for use and occupation and other details are given without
responsibility and any intending purchasers should not rely on them as statements or
representations of fact but must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the
correctness of each of them.
(iii) no person in the employment of Charnock Bates associates has any authority to make or
give any representation or warrant whatever in relation to this property.
(iv) these particulars do not form part of any offer or contact and must not be relied upon.
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HALIFAX
Property House, Lister Lane, Halifax HX1 5AX
t 01422 380100
HUDDERSFIELD
Oak House, New North Road, Huddersfield HD1 5LG
t 01484 903000
RIPPONDEN
250 Halifax Road, Ripponden HX6 4BG
t 01422 823777